Vickie’s condition seemed to be much improved from Saturday. She isn’t complaining about pain as much as before. She is still having strong pain medication.
She has been receiving respiratory treatment and the congestion is not as noticeable. She now has a rash on her body, probably from an anti-biotic, just like last year.
This evening Vickie was a little more talkative and aware of what was going on around her.

Vickie had a quiet day with visits from different family members.
Vickie seems to be experiencing more pain. She is now receiving a very strong pain medication. She also has serious lung congestion.

This afternoon Vickie was moved to TRAC U.
She was responsive and able to communicate some. After the extensive surgeries she is still listless and in considerable pain.
The visiting rules are much more relaxed now with few restrictions. There is a visitor’s logbook in her room, just like last year. In fact she is only a few rooms down the hall from where she stayed this time last summer.

Vickie is still in ICU. She will be there for an indefinite time. She receives pain medication, which keeps her drowsy most of the time.

This morning Vickie had a cranial procedure to determine if she did have an infection associated with her shunt. The results showed positive for infection.
Late in the afternoon Vickie went to the operating room to have the shunt removed. When it was pulled out it was apparent that something else was wrong. The surgeon realized the lower end of the tube had caused a perforation in her colon, a very unusual situation. Additional surgeons were called in to do abdominal surgery. They did a colostomy. This will remain until Vickie’s body heals enough to tolerate surgery to repair the damage. In the meantime she will remain at Emanuel for several weeks primarily for infection prevention.

A series of severe seizures this morning sent Vickie, by ambulance to Mt. Hood MC. After multiple tests and exams it was determined she needed more specialized care. She was transferred to Emanuel late in the afternoon.
The initial but not final diagnosis is an infection near the brain caused by her shunt tube or possibly some sort of gastro irregularity. It may take some time to identify the exact cause. Hopefully the nausea problem can be treated correctly for good this time.
As of late this evening Vickie had not awakened from her morning ordeal, so she was supplied nourishment by IV.
She is in the east ICU wing, which has very restricted visiting times.

Beginning with breakfast, Vickie suffered from a severe case of nausea that was still causing her much distress at bedtime.

This afternoon Vickie attended a birthday picnic for one of her older sisters. She ate plenty of the great potluck foods. It was more like a family reunion and Vickie enjoyed the occasion.

Vickie had lunch and visited at a sister’s home during the afternoon.
A bedtime nausea episode spoiled what had been an enjoyable day.

Despite a restless night Vickie recovered well. She ate a sizable breakfast [for her]. After a long morning nap she did lunch, again cleaning her plate.
After her Chinese dinner, Vickie stopped at her younger son’s home for a piece of his birthday cake and a short visit with the grandson.

Vickie had her first outpatient physical therapy today. Although she was a sleepyhead because of the AM appointment, she still performed well. From now on she will have afternoon sessions, hopefully she will be more alert and better able to participate fully.
Again Vickie spent the evening at sister’s home for free dinner. Three of Vickie’s sisters coordinate with each other in her care and visits.
At bedtime the nausea came on again. It was over quickly and she soon fell asleep. Perhaps she can make it all night without further problems.

Early morning nausea didn’t prevent Vickie from having a pleasant day. Her appetite continues to improve despite all the setbacks. An evening at a sister’s home along with dinner was a good ending to the day.

Finally, a good day from start to finish. Vickie had a good appetite and only a few minor problems.

For some unknown reason Vickie slept a good portion of the day. Late in the afternoon she finally awoke for good. She then traveled to a sister’s home for a visit and dinner.
Vickie is spending more time away from her home and without the company of her main caregiver. It seems to be a more convenient arrangement for everyone involved.

Vickie recovered nicely from the previous nights discomfort. She ate a good breakfast. Later she traveled to sister’s home for lunch and dinner. Despite the very warm July afternoon she had a good day.

A visit from Vickie’s two youngest grandsons helped alleviate the discomfort from dinnertime nausea for a while. She was unable to eat her meal or retain the much needed anti-biotic. The episodes are becoming much too frequent.
It has been thirteen months since the onset of Vickie’s illness. Her recovery seems to be going much slower and with more setbacks than we anticipated. If we can somehow get past this almost continuous nausea problem maybe the healing process will get back on track.

Vickie kept her Dr. appointment this afternoon. She still has an infection that refuses to go away. More antibiotics will be tried.
At bedtime another episode of nausea, something else that won’t go away.

Beginning early morning, Vickie experienced one of the worse periods of nausea in several weeks. After plenty of sleep during the day she was able to resume normal activities.
She spent the evening traveling to a couple of her sister's homes for dinner and visits.

For some unknown reason Vickie spent an extraordinary amount of time sleeping today. This evening she was herself again.

A very restless night and then the nausea at daybreak was a poor start for Vickie's day. With some extra sleep she returned to her regular self later in the day. The episodes are becoming more frequent again but the severity and duration are not nearly as bad as they were previously. She always rebounds quickly now. Still, there is no apparent cause or cure.

An early morning bout of nausea didn't stop Vickie from having a good day. She was in good spirits for a visit from a friend and a sister this evening.

Vickie had a good afternoon visiting at her sister's home, topped off with a excellent dinner.

Another non-problem day. Vickie had a good visit with some of her neighbors as they helped with some neglected landscape work in her yard.
Vickie's appetite has improved noticably in the last week or so despite the ongoing problems.

Vickie finished a good day with dinner at the chinese resturant. Later in the evening a bout of nausea caused some discomfort as she was getting ready for bedtime.

Vickie had her first outpatient therapy session today. We will have to make some changes concerning how she consumes her meals and drinks. Vickie has difficulty drinking without choking, making her mealtimes somewhat risky if not handled properly.

Vickie was able to get away from her home for a while this evening. Still doing well.

Vickie had a regular day with a few problems that were resolved. She still has her appetite and she is keeping a better sleep schedule.

Vickie recovered from a bout of nauesa in the morning in time to have a good brunch.

Vickie spent the afternoon at another sister's house without mishap. A ramp was hastily constructed to accommodate her wheelchair.
She is still eating with more gusto, definitely a good sign.

In our ongoing efforts to broaden Vickie's experience level, she traveled to and spent the entire afternoon at a sister's home without her primary caregiver's assistance. She enjoyed her time away from home along with a good meal and the attention of the resident dogs.

Still another day without serious problems. Vickie is developing, what for her is a voracious appetite. She also enjoys snacking which previously didn't happen.